The Impact of Omowale Malcolm X in Music (Part 2)

The Creator Supreme is all-knowing and Afrikan souls of the world have been bestowed upon with superlative knowingness from the Ultimate Divine. Remembrance is an important part of knowing. For the Afrikan it is recollection and rejuvenation of spirit. For the Afrikan it is the bringing forth of the best s/heroes of the Afrikan pantheon. For the Afrikan it is key in the process for restoration of self. For the Afrikan it is honouring the best of the Afrikan self. For Afrikan it reconnects the soul to higher purpose. For the Afrikan it is profound learning. For the Afrikan it is a part of spiritual and cultural the life and example of this great hero. This great Heru. This great Ogun. From decade to decade and from generation to generation a vast plethora of artists in music have been inspired by Omowale Malcolm X.  

Whether artists record songs that directly honour this great hero or not, the impact of this mighty spirit is ever-present:

The Chat: Fela Anikulapo Kuti Biography: “In 1969, Fela brought Koola Lobitos to Los Angeles to tour and record. Upon returning to Nigeria Fela founded a communal compound come recording studio and rehearsal space. He called it the Kalakuta Republic and a nightclub, The Shrine. Following his 1969 tour of where he was influenced by the politics of Malcolm X, the Black Panthers and other militants, Fela’s music became increasingly politicised. He exalted social change in such songs as Zombie... Monkey Banana, Beasts of No Nation and Upside Down”.

Mos Def: “I just want to say that Malcolm X is one of my favourite people and one of my favourite thinkers and speakers. So, it’s a special pleasure to read one of his speeches, as it also has one of my favourite lines ever, and I’ll say it slowly so you guys know which one, ‘We want to have just an off-the-cuff chat between you and me- us. We want to talk right down to earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand…”.

Sa Roc: “I want to give honour and respect to the shining Black prince. The shining Black king Malcolm X. Omowale Malcolm…today on his born day. It’s such perfect timing that the first day of the Malcolm X festival falls on this day. Big up to Malcolm X Grassroots for all the hard work in putting this beautiful festival on every year”.

Elder Sekou Odinga (uncle of Tupac Shakur and father of Yafeu Akiyele Fula of the Outlawz): “The first thing I would say about Tupac was he was nothing but the truth, you know. He was one of ours. We raised him. He was raised among Black Panthers, Black Liberation Army members. And so, a lot of what he learned he learned through us. We were some of his first teachers…The name Shakur is to [be] thankful or those who are thankful to the Creator for all that [s/]he gives us. The first Shakur out of our clan was Salahudeen Shakur, father of Zaid, Malik Shakur and Lumumba Shakur. He was the first one, he was a comrade of Malcolm X, brother [in mission] of Malcolm X”.

For Afrikan souls throughout the world the powerful and unconquerable spirit of Omowale Malcolm X is oftentimes expressed through words spoken or lyrics in a song. Some artists prefer to express honour through musical expression where the soul is energised without words. Amongst the multitude of instrumentals highlighting the impact of Omowale is the composition entitled Malcolm X performed by the Skatalites.

In the approach to Omowale Malcolm X Kukumbuko, learning can become a progressive and purposeful mission. Time taken to learn can go a long way. Learn of Afrikan progressive mission and live Afrikan progressive mission is the becoming of vital Afrikan acumen.

Throughout the annual cycle of the spiritual and cultural calendar of the Universal Royal Afrikan Nation observance to observance, Afrikan life is endowed with the essential of living knowingness. For the Afrikan souls, being a part of an organ for mission ascendancy is key. The Universal Royal Afrikan Nation is a spiritually and culturally rooted organ for Afrikan ascension.

The Universal Royal Afrikan Nation (URAN) is an Afrikan-centred spiritual and cultural mission for ascendancy that embodies living spiritually and culturally rooted life. To find out more about URAN and its spiritual-cultural mission for liberty and nationhood click here. The exquisite URAN pendant can be obtained online by clicking here.

In his capacity as an Afrikan-centred spiritual cultural practitioner this author is available for further learning in this regard and also for the carrying out of ceremonies such as naming and name reclamation. For details please click here.

Afrikan World Studies programmes are an important forms of study in understanding the Afrikan experience. There are a range of subjects covered on these programmes including History, Creative Production, Psychology and Religion. To find out more about these learning programmes please click here. For the video promo for these learning programmes click here.

Also, in the approach to the important cultural observance of Omowale Malcolm X Kukumbuko, the text: From Ajar to Omowale – The Spiritual & Garveyite Journey of Malcolm X by this author is available to purchase online here. The trailer for this important text can be found online here. This publication provides detail on the life and example of this great hero. You can also visit the institution of Yemanja to pick up a copy.

At nominal cost, also consider acquisition of an a4 laminate poster of articulations by this author when visiting the Yemanja institution to enrol, consult, learn, gather or otherwise.

Also, visit www.u-ran.org for links to Afrikan liberation Love radio programme on Universal Royal Afrikan Radio online.